Lid with a venting assembly

ABSTRACT

A removable lid for selectively sealing a storage vessel is provided, the storage vessel including a base and a continuous sidewall. The removable lid comprises a main body having a bottom surface and a top surface. A tab is movably secured to the main body and the tab is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. A gasket is secured to the bottom surface, and a vent is formed in the gasket. The vent includes an aperture extending from an outer gasket side to an inner gasket side and the vent further includes a vent seal. A sealing protrusion is disposed on the tab. The sealing protrusion includes a sealing face disposed on a distal end of the sealing protrusion, wherein when the tab is disposed in the first position, the sealing face contacts the vent seal and forms a seal with the vent seal to retard fluid flow across the gasket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a lid for a kitchenware vessel, andmore particularly, to a lid capable of selectively forming a fluid-tightseal with a kitchenware vessel.

BACKGROUND

Kitchenware vessels and lids are generally known in the relevant art.Some known vessel-and-lid combinations include locking features forremovably securing a lid to a vessel, including some vessel-and-lidcombinations that include features for selectively enabling a sealbetween an interior and an exterior of the vessel. However, these knownlids or vessel-and-lid combinations include superfluous moving parts,adding complexity, weight and manufacturing costs. Further, these knownlids require a user to undertake multiple steps to secure and releasethe lid from the vessel and selectively enable a seal between theinterior and exterior of the vessel. The accessories or integratedfeatures available on known lids and vessel-and-lid combinations do notadequately address the above-mentioned issues. Accordingly, there is aneed for a lid that forms a fluid-tight seal when a locking tabselectively secures the lid to a vessel, and for a lid that incorporatessealing features with a movable locking mechanism.

The present disclosure is provided to address the problems discussedabove and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects notpresently provided by known lids. A full discussion of the features andadvantages of certain preferred embodiments of the present disclosure isdeferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds withreference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a removable lid forselectively sealing a storage vessel having a base and a continuoussidewall is provided. The removable lid comprises a main body having abottom surface and a top surface and a tab movably secured to the mainbody. The tab is selectively movable between a first position and asecond position. A gasket is secured to the bottom surface of the mainbody of the lid, and a vent is formed in the gasket. The vent includesan aperture extending from an outer gasket side to an inner gasket side.The vent also includes a vent seal. A sealing protrusion is disposed onthe tab. The sealing protrusion includes a sealing face disposed on adistal end of the sealing protrusion. When the tab is disposed in thefirst position, the sealing face contacts the vent seal and forms agenerally fluid-tight seal with the vent seal.

In some implementations of the present disclosure, a removable lid forselectively sealing a storage vessel is provided. The storage vesselincludes a base and a continuous sidewall. The removable lid includes amain body having a bottom surface and an upper surface. A tab is movablysecured to the main body such that the tab is selectively movablebetween a first position and a second position. A gasket is secured tothe bottom surface. A channel is disposed on a lower surface of thegasket, and the gasket is selectively compressible between a relativelycompressed state and a relatively uncompressed state. The channel allowsa passage of fluid across the gasket when the gasket is in therelatively uncompressed state and the gasket forms a generallyfluid-tight seal across the gasket when the gasket is in the relativelycompressed state.

In some implementations of the present disclosure, a storage containerassembly is provided. The assembly includes a storage vessel having abase and a continuous sidewall and a removable lid. The removable lidhas a main body having a bottom surface and an upper surface. A tab ismovably secured to the main body such that the tab is selectivelymovable between a first position and a second position. A gasket issecured to the bottom surface of the main body of the lid. A vent isformed in the gasket, and the vent includes an aperture extending froman outer gasket side to an inner gasket side and the vent furtherincludes a vent seal. A sealing protrusion is disposed on the tab. Thesealing protrusion includes a sealing face disposed on a distal end ofthe sealing protrusion. When the tab is located in the first position,the sealing face contacts the vent seal and forms a fluid-tight sealwith the vent seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of thepresent disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments.The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications,alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vessel and a lid according toexemplary implementations of the present disclosure, showing portions ofa selective venting system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the vessel and lid of FIG. 1,showing the vessel separated from the lid.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of a vessel, lid and gasket of FIG. 1according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vessel and lid of FIG. 1,showing selective venting features of a gasket and a locking tab,according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lid and vessel according toexemplary implementations of the present disclosure, further showingelements of a selective venting system and a selective locking system.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lid and vessel of FIG. 5, takenalong line 6-6, showing elements of the selective locking system andselective venting system in a first position.

FIG. 7 is the cross-sectional view of the lid and vessel of FIG. 5,showing elements of the selective locking system and selective ventingsystem in a second position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a vessel, lid and selective venting systemaccording to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure,particularly showing a tab module and gasket in a first position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the vessel, lid and selective venting system ofFIG. 8, showing the tab module and gasket in a second position.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid andselective venting system of FIG. 8, showing the tab module and gasket inthe first position.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid andselective venting system of FIG. 8, showing the tab module and gasket inthe second position.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel, lid and selective ventingsystem of an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, showinga gasket in a first position.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid and selectiveventing system of FIG. 12, showing the gasket in a second position.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel, lid and selective ventingsystem according to an exemplary implementation of the presentdisclosure, showing a tab and sealing protrusion in a first position.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid and selectiveventing of FIG. 14, showing the tab and sealing protrusion in a secondposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms.There are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail,embodiments of the disclosure with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the disclosure. It is not intended to limit the broad aspects of thedisclosure to the implementations illustrated.

Disclosed herein are various implementations of a selective ventingsystem 10 for a lid used in connection with a cookware vessel or otherhouseware storage vessel. The lid 14 is releasably securable to a vessel32 that generally includes a base 36 and a continuous sidewall 40. Aperipheral edge 44, or an upper edge, of the continuous sidewall 40 isdisposed at a substantially opposite side of the continuous sidewall 40than is the base 36. The continuous sidewall 40 defines a sidewallinterior surface 46 and a sidewall exterior surface 48. A sidewall lip52 is formed on the continuous sidewall 40 proximate the peripheral edge44. As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the selective venting system 10 includesa lid 14 having a main body 18. The main body 18 of the lid 14 forms alower side 22 and an upper side 24, along with one or more positionalelements 28.

A tab 60 is attached to the lid 14. In some implementations of thepresent disclosure, more than one tab 60 is attached to the lid 14. Thetab 60 is movably attached to the lid 14, and further can be attached tothe lid 14 via a hinge 64. A tab securement protrusion 68 is attached tothe tab 60 and selectively engages the sidewall lip 52 to releasablysecure the lid 14 to the vessel 32. Either or both of the lid 14 or thetab 60 can be formed from polypropylene or any other suitable polymer ormaterial.

In some implementations, the lid 14 and its peripheral edge 44 aresubstantially circular in shape. In some implementations, the lid 14includes four rounded corners 15 a,15 b,15 c,15 d each having a firstradius of curvature r₁ and a side 17 a,17 b,17 c,17 d disposed betweeneach pair of adjacent rounded corners 15 a,15 b,15 c,15 d each having asecond radius of curvature r₂. The first radius of curvature r1 is lessthan the second radius of curvature r₂. In some implementations, theperipheral edge 44 includes four rounded corners 44 a,44 b,44 c,44 deach having a third radius of curvature r₃ and a side 45 a,45 b,45 c,45d disposed between each pair of adjacent rounded corners 44 a,44 b,44c,44 d each having a fourth radius of curvature r₄. The third radius ofcurvature r₃ is less than the fourth radius of curvature r₄.

A gasket 72 is secured to the lower side 22 of the lid 14. The gasket 72contacts the peripheral edge 44 of the continuous sidewall 40 when thelid 14 is placed in proper contact with the vessel 32. The positionalelements 28 engage with portions, or corners, of the continuous sidewall40 or peripheral edge 44 to position the gasket 72 in contact with theperipheral edge 44 when the lower side 22 of the lid 14 is placed inproper contact with the vessel 32. It will be understood that the gasket72 can be formed from a polymer, rubber, thermoplastic elastomermaterial or any other suitable material.

The gasket 72 can be attached to the lower side 22 of the lid 14 througha variety of mechanical or chemical attachment technologies including,but not limited to, adhesives, interference fits, mechanical fastenersand other relative geometric arrangements of the gasket 72 and lid 14. Agasket channel 76 is, in some implementations, formed on the lower side22 of the lid 14. The gasket channel 76 aids in the positioning andsecurement of the gasket 72 on the lower side 22, and includes an innergasket guide 80 and an outer gasket guide 82. The inner gasket guide 80and the outer gasket guide 82 position the gasket 72 radially on thelower side 22 of the lid 14 and the inner gasket guide 80 is disposedradially inward of the outer gasket guide 82. An inner gasket guiderecess 90, visible in FIG. 3, is disposed on the inner gasket guide 80and will be described below in greater detail.

Elements of the selective venting system 10 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.The gasket 72 includes a vent 94 allowing a fluid or gaseous exchangebetween the interior and an exterior of the vessel 32 when the lid 14 isproperly placed on the vessel 32. According to one embodiment, the vent94 includes an aperture 98 that passes through the gasket 72 from anouter gasket side 102 to an inner gasket side 106. A sealing surface 110is formed on the gasket 72 at an end of the aperture 98 or the vent 94.In particular, the sealing surface 110 is formed on the outer gasketside 102. The sealing surface 110, (e.g. a ‘bell mouth”), forms a raisedlip surface that protrudes outwardly from the gasket 72. A sealingsurface support 116 is also formed on the outer gasket side 102 andstructurally supports the formation and functionalities of the sealingsurface 110 described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner gasket guide recess 90 is disposed on theinner gasket guide 80 and is substantially aligned with the aperture 98when the gasket 72 is disposed in the gasket channel 76. The innergasket guide recess 90 enables the inner gasket guide 80 to retain andposition the gasket 72 in the gasket channel 76 and simultaneouslyallows fluid to flow through the aperture 98 without causing a fluidflow blockage.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a sealing protrusion 120 formed on the tab 60.The sealing protrusion 120 extends from the tab 60 and terminates at aface 124 formed on a distal end 128 of the sealing protrusion. Thesealing protrusion 120 is, in some implementations, integrally formedwith the tab 60 such that a movement of the tab 60 relative to the lid14 and gasket 72 produces a corresponding movement of the sealingprotrusion 120 relative to the lid 14 and gasket 72. In someimplementations, as shown in FIG. 4, the face 124 is formed at an anglea from a side surface 129 of the sealing protrusion 120. In onepreferred embodiment, the angle a is approximately 120 degrees.

FIG. 6 shows the tab 60 in a first position 150. In the first position150, the vent 94 is closed such that a generally fluid-tight seal isformed at or near the aperture 98. It will be understood that agenerally fluid-tight seal is achieved when the flow of fluid across thegasket 72 is substantially retarded. Accordingly, in this configuration,fluids and gasses are substantially prevented from flowing through theaperture 98 between the inner and outer sides of gasket 102, 106, andthus from an interior of the vessel 32 to an exterior of the vessel 32.

In some implementations, the sealing protrusion 120 seals the aperture98 when the tab 60 is arranged in the first position 150. As the sealingprotrusion 120 is moved in conjunction with a movement of the tab 60,the face 124 is brought towards the sealing surface 110 with acorresponding tab 60 movement towards the first position 150. In someimplementations, the sealing surface 110 is compressible, such that thesealing protrusion 120 is moved towards the sealing surface 110, theface 124 contacts the sealing surface 110. The face 124 may furtherpress into the sealing surface 110 such that the face 124 compresses thesealing surface 110. The contacting of the sealing surface 110 by theface 124, and/or the compression of the sealing surface 110 by the face124, seals the aperture 98 such that a generally fluid-tight seal isformed through the aperture 98, thereby substantially preventing fluidsfrom flowing through the aperture 98 between the inner and outer sidesof the gasket 102, 106.

Similarly, when the sealing protrusion 120 is moved away from thesealing surface 110 in conjunction with a movement of the tab 60, theface 124 moves away from the sealing surface 110. Such a tab 60arrangement is defined as a second position 160, as best shown in FIG.7. When the face 124 is no longer in contact with the sealing surface110, and/or no longer compresses the sealing surface 110, the face 124does not form the fluid-tight seal through the aperture 98. Fluid isthereby allowed to flow from the outer gasket side 102 to the innergasket side 106 or from the inner gasket side 106 to the outer gasketside 106, depending on relative pressures on opposed sides 102, 106 ofthe gasket 72.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the tab 60 is arranged in the firstposition 150, the tab securement protrusion 68 engages with a portion ofthe sidewall lip 52 to removably secure the lid 14 to the vessel 32. Theengagement of the tab securement protrusion 68 with the sidewall lip 52,in some implementations, also draws the lid 14 closer to the vessel 32and/or compresses the gasket 72 against the sidewall lip 52 orperipheral edge 44 to form a generally fluid-tight seal between thegasket 72 and the sidewall lip 52 or peripheral edge 44. As describedabove, the tab 60 being arranged in the first position 150 causes thesealing protrusion 120 to form a generally fluid-tight seal through theaperture 98. Accordingly, the first position 150 corresponds to areleasable engagement between the lid 14 and the vessel 32, and also toa generally fluid tight-seal being formed through the aperture by thesealing protrusion 120.

When the tab 60 is arranged in the second position 160, there is noengagement between the tab securement protrusion 68 and a portion of thesidewall lip 52. Thus, the lid 14 is separable from the vessel 32. Asdescribed above, when the tab 60 is arranged in the second position 160the sealing protrusion 120 is not positioned to form a generallyfluid-tight seal through the aperture 98. Accordingly, the secondposition 160 corresponds to a lack of a securement between the lid 14and the vessel 32 caused by the tab securement protrusion 68 andsidewall lip 52, and also to a lack of a generally fluid tight-sealbeing formed through the aperture by the sealing protrusion 120.

In operation, when the tab 60 is moved into the first position 150 thelid 14 is secured to the vessel 32 and also a generally fluid tight-sealis formed because the sealing protrusion 120 seals the aperture 98.Conversely, movement of the tab 60 into the second position 160 releasesthe lid 14 from the vessel 32, and permits fluid to flow through theaperture 98.

In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 8-13, the gasket 72 includesa lower surface 174 having at least one channel 180. The channel 180 canbe formed through, under, over, around or on any surface or portion ofthe gasket 72. In some implementations, the gasket 72 is compressible toa plurality of states. In particular, the gasket 72 is selectivelycompressible between a relatively uncompressed state 184 as shown inFIGS. 8, 10 and 12, a relatively compressed state 188 as shown in FIGS.9, 11 and 13.

The channel 180 permits fluid flow across or through the gasket 72 whenthe gasket 72 is in the relatively uncompressed state 184. In someimplementations, when the gasket 72 is in the relatively uncompressedstate 184, the lower surface 174 of the gasket 72 maintains theformation of the channel 180 across the lower surface 174 of the gasket72. Further, when the gasket 72 is in the relatively uncompressed state184, the lower surface 174 of the gasket 72 is not sufficientlycompressed against the peripheral edge 44 to prevent a fluid flow acrossthe channel 180.

Conversely, fluid is prevented from flowing across the channel 180 whenthe gasket 72 is in the relatively compressed state 188. When the gasket72 is in the relatively compressed state 188, the lower surface 174 ofthe gasket 72 is sufficiently compressed against the peripheral edge 44to generally prevent a fluid flow across the channel 180.

Either or both of the gasket 72 or lid 14 can be moved towards, orcompressed against, the peripheral edge 44 by various mechanicalsystems. In some implementations shown in FIGS. 1-7, 12 and 13, a cam192 engages with the sidewall lip 52 and/or the peripheral edge 44 toselectively move the gasket 72 towards the peripheral edge 44. The cammovement compresses the gasket 72 against the peripheral edge 44,thereby selectively compressing the gasket 72 between the relativelyuncompressed state 184 and the relatively compressed state 188. It iscontemplated that the cam 192 can be formed on the tab 60, and furthercan form a portion of the tab securement protrusion 68. Alternatively,or in addition thereto, the gasket 72 and/or lid 14 can be movedtowards, or compressed against, the peripheral edge 44 by manualapplication of force to the lid 14 by user.

In some implementations shown in FIGS. 8-11, a movable tab module 200selectively moves the gasket 72 toward the peripheral edge 44. By movingthe tab module 200, the gasket 72 is compressed against the peripheraledge 44, thereby selectively compressing the gasket 72 between therelatively uncompressed state 184 and the relatively compressed state188. According to these implementations, the tab module 200 may be movedsubstantially vertically to compress the gasket 72 against theperipheral edge 44. Further, in some implementations, the tab module 200is at least partially connected to the lid 14 via one or more flexiblesupports 204. The flexible supports 204 can be formed from a polymer,thermoplastic elastomer, or any other suitably resilient and deformablematerial. The flexible supports 204 allow the tab module 200 to remainconnected to the lid 14 regardless of a present location of the tabmodule 200 relative to the lid 14, and further allow the tab module 200to move relative to the lid 14.

The tab module 200, in some implementations, is selectively disposablein a tab module upper state 208 (FIGS. 8 and 10) and a tab module lowerstate 210 (FIGS. 9 and 11). When the tab module 200 is placed into thetab module upper state 208, the gasket 72 is disposed in the relativelyuncompressed state 184 and when the tab module 200 is placed into thetab module lower state 210, the gasket is disposed in the relativelycompressed state 188. The tab module 200 can be moved between the tabmodule lower state 210 and the tab module upper state 208 by a manualforce of a user.

The disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the endsand advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. Theparticular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theteachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced indifferent but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the arthaving the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitationsare intended to the details of construction or design herein shown,other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evidentthat the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may bealtered, combined, or modified and all such variations are consideredwithin the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methodsillustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absenceof any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or anyoptional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods aredescribed in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” variouscomponents or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consistessentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. Allnumbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever anumerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, anynumber and any included range falling within the range is specificallydisclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “fromabout a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or,equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to beunderstood to set forth every number and range encompassed within thebroader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain,ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by thepatentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in theclaims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elementthat it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word orterm in this specification and one or more patent or other documentsthat may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that areconsistent with this specification should be adopted.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series ofitems, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items,modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e.,each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includesat least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of anycombination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. Byway of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at leastone of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; anycombination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

1. A removable lid for selectively sealing a storage vessel, the storagevessel including a base and a continuous sidewall, the removable lidcomprising: a main body having a bottom surface and a top surface; a tabmovably secured to the main body, the tab selectively movable between afirst position and a second position; a gasket secured to the bottomsurface; a vent formed in the gasket, the vent including an apertureextending from an outer gasket side to an inner gasket side and the ventfurther including a vent seal; and a sealing protrusion disposed on thetab, the sealing protrusion including a sealing face disposed on adistal end of the sealing protrusion, wherein when the tab is disposedin the first position, the sealing face contacts the vent seal and formsa seal with the vent seal to retard fluid flow across the gasket.
 2. Theremovable lid of claim 1, wherein the tab is hingedly connected to themain body.
 3. The removable lid of claim 1, wherein the bottom surfaceincludes a gasket guide for positioning and retaining the gasketrelative to the removable lid.
 4. The removable lid of claim 1, whereinthe vent seal is a compressible vent seal and the sealing protrusioncompresses the compressible vent seal when the tab is located in thefirst position.
 5. The removable lid of claim 1, wherein the removablelid is substantially circular in shape.
 6. The removable lid of claim 1,wherein the removable lid includes four rounded corners having a firstradius of curvature and a side between each pair of adjacent roundedcorners having a second radius of curvature, the first radius ofcurvature being less than the second radius of curvature.
 7. Theremovable lid of claim 1, wherein the continuous sidewall includes anupper edge and the gasket forms a fluid-tight seal with the upper edgewhen the tab is located in the first position.
 8. The removable lid ofclaim 1, wherein the tab includes a tab securement protrusion thatengages with a vessel lip when the tab is located in the first positionto thereby removably attach the removable lid to the storage vessel. 9.The removable lid of claim 1, wherein a movable cam selectivelycompresses the gasket into an upper edge of the continuous sidewall. 10.A removable lid for selectively sealing a storage vessel, the storagevessel including a base and a continuous sidewall, the removable lidcomprising: a main body having a bottom surface and an upper surface; atab movably secured to the main body, the tab selectively movablebetween a first position and a second position; a gasket secured to thebottom surface; and a channel disposed on a lower surface of the gasket,the gasket being selectively compressible between a relativelycompressed state and a relatively uncompressed state, the channelallowing passage of fluid across the gasket when the gasket is in therelatively uncompressed state and the gasket retarding fluid flow acrossthe gasket when the gasket is in the relatively compressed state. 11.The removable lid of claim 10, wherein the tab is hingedly connected tothe main body.
 12. The removable lid of claim 10, wherein a movable tabmodule selectively compresses the gasket into the relatively compressedstate.
 13. The removable lid of claim 10, wherein a movable camselectively compresses the gasket into the relatively compressed state.14. The removable lid of claim 10, wherein the tab includes a tabsecurement protrusion that engages with a vessel lip when the tab islocated in the first position to thereby removably attach the removablelid to the storage vessel.
 15. A storage container assembly, comprising:a storage vessel including a base and a continuous sidewall; a removablelid comprising a main body having a bottom surface and an upper surface;a tab movably secured to the main body, the tab selectively movablebetween a first position and a second position; a gasket secured to thebottom surface; a vent formed in the gasket, the vent including anaperture extending from an outer gasket side to an inner gasket side andthe vent further including a vent seal; and a sealing protrusiondisposed on the tab, the sealing protrusion including a sealing facedisposed on a distal end of the sealing protrusion, and when the tab islocated in the first position, the sealing face contacts the vent sealand forms a seal with the vent seal to retard fluid flow between theinner gasket side and the outer gasket side.
 16. The storage containerassembly of claim 15, wherein the continuous sidewall includes an upperedge and the gasket forms a fluid-tight seal with the upper edge whenthe tab is located in the first position.
 17. The storage containerassembly of claim 15, wherein the tab is hingedly connected to the mainbody.
 18. The storage container assembly of claim 15, wherein the bottomsurface includes a gasket guide for positioning and retaining the gasketrelative to the removable lid.
 19. The storage container assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the removable lid is substantially circular in shape.20. The storage container assembly of claim 15, wherein the removablelid includes four rounded corners having a first radius of curvature anda side between each pair of adjacent rounded corners having a secondradius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being less than thesecond radius of curvature.